Benefits at a grand scale

The 26th of November marks the birth anniversary of Verghese Kurien popularly known as "Father of White revolution in India". Mr. Kurien headed National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and in 1970 he pioneered Operation Flood which revolutionised Dairy sector in the country through his concept of Cooperative Model popularly known as Amul Model. Thanks to the cooperative model, India became the world’s largest producer of milk, overtaking the USA in 1998.

Kurien had a Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in Dairy Engineering. Kurien’s exceptional work earned him the honourary title of 'Doctor' and he received numerous awards including the Ramon Magsaysay Award, the World Food Prize, and the Padma Vibhushan.

26th of November is observed as National Milk Day to highlight the crucial role of milk in human nutrition and the day raises awareness about its health benefits. Milk is a highly nutritious and versatile food, providing essential nutrients that contribute to growth, development and overall health.  Rich in calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D, milk supports strong bones and teeth. High-quality protein (casein and whey) aids in muscle repair and growth, making milk popular among athletes.  Milk has a high water content (~87%), contributing to hydration along with essential electrolytes like potassium and magnesium. Potassium in milk helps regulate blood pressure, while bioactive peptides may have antihypertensive properties. Nutrients like vitamin A, zinc, and selenium in milk strengthen the immune system.

Kurien's concept of Dairy Cooperatives was based on reaping the benefits of milk Collectivisation. The milk collectivisation refers to organizing dairy farmers into cooperatives to pool their milk production, resources, and efforts. By pooling resources milk cooperatives enable farmers to produce more milk collectively, ensuring consistent supply to meet consumer demand. Access to modern equipment and veterinary healthcare through cooperatives improves cattle productivity. Cooperatives eliminate middlemen, allowing farmers to sell milk directly to the cooperative at fair prices. Payment structures are transparent, ensuring timely and equitable income distribution among members.

Milk collectivisation provides farmers access to advanced technologies like Bulk Milk Coolers (BMCs), automated testing, and storage facilities. Cooperatives invest in processing plants for converting milk into value-added products like butter, cheese and  curd , maximising profits. Small-scale and marginal farmers, who might otherwise struggle to compete in the market, benefit from the collective strength and shared resources of cooperatives. They gain bargaining power and a voice in decision-making within the cooperative.

Milk cooperatives create job opportunities in areas such as milk collection, transportation, processing, and distribution. Women in particular benefit from employment opportunities in dairy farming, leading to greater financial independence and social empowerment Cooperatives often provide veterinary care, artificial insemination services, and feed supplies at subsidised rates. Training programs offered by cooperatives help farmers adopt best practices in Animal Husbandry, improving milk yield and quality.

Milk cooperatives implement strict quality controls, ensuring that the milk meets health and safety standards. Access to better storage and transportation reduces spoilage and maintains freshness. Collectivisation enables the cooperative to market milk and dairy products under a unified brand, like Amul. This branding helps establish consumer trust and ensures competitive market positioning.

National Milk Day commemorates the role played by Verghese Kurien in revolutionizing Dairy Sector through Dairy Cooperatives. We need to establish and strengthen Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCS) and replicate the template of Amul so that farmers benefit from milk collectivisation. This in turn will facilitate availability of adequate quantity of milk to feed the teeming population.

1. ZUBAIR AHMAD WAR, Alumnus, SKUAST-Kashmir